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QUEEN OF THE DAMNED
"Immortality seems like a good idea..until you realise you're going to
spend
it alone"...
Greetings again! With all the recent discussion on the list about
vampire movies, and Queen Of The Damned being one of the favorites, and having a pretty great soundtrack as well, I thought I'd review it for this month..Only one dilemma here - this is going to turn into a partial music and movie review, since merely telling what the songs are about would not make sense, unless put in the right context, in this case, along with the movie..The movie starts off with Lestat waking from an overlong sleep in the local cemetary somewhere in New Orleans, and he begins to narrate the tale while "Forsaken" plays in the background..He then shows up to a room where his future bandmates are having a session, and explains that "today is your lucky day"..One thing about the songs on the soundtrack, they all have little hints and clues, and vampiric references. This is seen quite plainly in the lyrics of the song, "Forsaken"..
"You see I cannot be forsaken
Because I'm not the only one
We walk amongst you feeding, raping
Must we hide from everyone" ?
I personally, have a problem with the line "we walk amongst you,
feeding, raping".. Feeding, yes..But to say "raping"..I just feel a better word could have been used here, and it's one more mark against real vampires, in my opinion, but perhaps because raping implies to take without asking, without consent, perhaps it is proper to make use of this word, but I still feel it's over the top..I think we can all agree with the rest of it, though..And Lestat was one who grew tired of being on the sidelines, and going it alone..Although the mythical vampire is supposed to be immune to emotions, it seems that Lestat was not..He was lonely, and it showed all through the movie, just as it does within the lyrics of the songs..
"Not meant for me" was played twice during the film - the first time
was as a clip, and only briefly, and it gave the impression of wanting to be part of the living, to enjoy life..So Lestat was quoted while making a public "appearance", though broadcasted, as having said "why hide in this day and age? I want to share myself with the world"..But at the same time, he was outing all vampires, which, as we are all aware, could have disastrous effects..Even we who are involved here in the VC and other orgs, have found it expedient to be withdrawn from society for the same reasons..It draws the wrong sort of attention - people may not understand, and if they do not, could become hostile..
The scene moves on, to Lestat's lackey bringing him two english girls,
neither knowing what to expect..It turns into a seduction scene with
both girls attempting to rouse him sexually, and he in his way trying to rouse them into thinking more will come of it.."Cold" plays in the background at first, and then becomes dominant, while they watch him crawl across the floor, up the wall, across the ceiling, and then drop and viciously feed from them both..
"We kiss
The Stars
We writhe
We are
Your name
Desire
Your flesh
We are
Cold
We're so cold
We are so
Cold
We're so cold
Your mouth
This words
Silence
It turns
Humming
We laugh
My head
Falls back"..
Now enters Jessie - the eventual offspring of the only child of her
Aunt Maharet, who is a vampire, and was "made" by Akasha herself..She is first acquainted with Lestat by way of MTV, who is promoting his new
album..The song "Redeemer" is playing, and she listens with rapt attention..
"The hunger inside given to me, makes me what I am
Always it is calling me, for the blood of man
They say I cannot be this, I am jaded, hiding from the day.
I can't bare, I cannot tame the hunger in me
Oh, I say I did and always searching, you can't fuck with me.
So instead you'll taste my pain.
The hunger inside given to me, makes me feel alive.
Always out stalking prey, in the dark I hide.
Feeling, falling, hating, feel like I am fading, hating life.
They say I cannot be this, I am jaded, hiding from the day.
I can't bare, I cannot tame the hunger in me...
Oh, I say I did and always searching, you can't fuck with fate.
So instead you'll taste my pain"..
How many of us can empathise with this description? Perhaps the
reporter from the previous scene was correct in stating that "vampire secrets" were being given away..But a shame that the truth is still intermixed with myth, in order to make it interesting..Jessie becomes intrigued, and does further homework on who Lestat is and how long he has been around, etc etc..Meanwhile, Marius explains to Lestat, that for the sake of all vampires, they must remain out of the way of mundanes..
Moving forward a bit, we have Lestat entertaining Marius upon a
scaffold in front of a giant mural of Lestat's band, while "Headstrong" plays in the background..Appropriate name, really, because it perfectly sums Lestat up in one word..
"Did you think of anyone, but yourself"?
"I only have myself..You taught me that"..
"Strapped down and heavy
Tied up and bound..
This weight I carry
This weight I've found..
So Let.Me be the one to say
I've really had enough"..
Headstrong? Or loneliness? Awaken, Akasha....
Within the Admiral's Arms, Akasha walks around, looking at everything,
everyone, taking it all in, while others gape in wide eyed wonder..She
senses Lestat has been there at some point, but that it was obviously
some time ago..A threat is made on him in front of her, and she quickly
corrects the individual by ripping his heart out, and then frying several more..
"Why won't you die?
Your blood in mine
We'll be fine
Then your body will be mine
So many words can't describe my face
This feelings evolved, so soon to break out
I can't relate to a happy state
Feeling the blood run inside"..
And forward, we go..
"Dead cell" kicks off in the background - Not one of my favorite tunes
on this album..While this song is playing, Jessie tells Lestat that she
wants to be like him..The first thing going through my mind at this point, is that giant monkey king in Jungle book - "ooo be doo, I wanna be like you - hoo - oo, I wanna walk like you, talk like you, it's troo - oo - oo"..Sorry..Had to be said..Papa Roach..Nuff said..Apologies to those that like them, I don't - afford me one band not to like :o)
"Born with no soul, lack of control
Cut from the mold of the anti-social
Plug them in and turn them on
Process data, make yourself the bomb
What is your target
What is your reason
Do you have emotions,
Is your heart freezing
Seizing this opportunity to speak
Ya didn't say nothin but turn your fucking cheek
Dead cell
Sick in the head, living but dead, hear what I said
Learn a lesson from the almighty dread"..
Remember what I said earlier about the song "Not meant for me" being
used twice to convey two different meanings in the movie? Well, here is
where it gets picked up again..Here they are, doing their only show out in Mojave desert, and they play this song, as a challenge for the other vampires to "come out, wherever you are"..By this time, they are pretty angry, and they pretty much all go for him at once, but Marius shows up, and helps to save the day..Awww, he's a goodun really :o) I kinda like the guy - especially like how he says "Lehstaht" in his posh accent :o) Gotta love that..Suddenly, vampires start catching fire, and dying, and then, Akasha shows up, all in her glory..I think I have watched this movie one time too many..Mostly, I think I watch it for the next scene, because it just RAWKS! Akasha and Lestat in a hot tub, with rose petals, the Deftones, and feed time..Ahhhh you can almost tatse the energy in that scene..And don't it get the blood rushing to your head, though? The lyrics are odd, but no one actually cares, because it's the actual tempo of this song that grabs you in, every time..
"I've watched you change
Into a fly
I looked away
You were on fire
I watched a change
In you
It's like you never
Had wings
Now you feel
So Alive"..
Now you feel so alive..I think after that scene, anyone who would have
been on the receiving end, WOULD be feeling VERY alive right about now..The energies were huge in that scene, amongst other things, I'm sure..I am going to end it here, because at this point, the best of it is finished, and most of the good tunes have been played..On the whole, the album is pretty good, enough to veg out and have a listen to, while enjoying some drinks, or having it away with your favorite lover/donor/whoever..The movie was also enjoyable - truly I have seen worse..This one is at least worth watching..
Of course, I have a link for those of you who don't have this
album/movie..Check it out over on amazon.com..You'll need Realplayer,
or Windows media player to be able to listen to the clips..You can access those by
clicking here ..
While you're at it, here is a website made by Warner Brothers, totally
dedicated to the movie/soundtrack..Access that by clicking here ..
Once again, I hope you all have enjoyed the review, and will look
forward to next month..Blessings to all for the upcoming solstice..See you all next month :o)
Dark Blessings~
Silver
Edited By: Silver
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